In the popular sci-fi novel “The Three-Body Problem,” an ultra-strong nano-filament called “Flying Blade” instills fear in the powerful Trisolarans, prompting their agent, Sophon, to sabotage the development of “Flying Blade.” Once this material is mass-produced, it provides the technological foundation for constructing space elevators, making large-scale human entry into space possible.
“Flying Blade” in the 3 Body Problem, Netflix
In reality, after relentless efforts, SpaceX’s Starship heavy-lift rocket successfully launched on March 14, 2024. In contrast to traditional rockets that turn to ashes upon re-entering the atmosphere, Starship, with its reusability capability, can significantly reduce the cost of space travel, making large-scale human entry into space possible in reality.
Overview of Starship, SpaceX
This breakthrough pushes the limits of human space capabilities, taking us one step closer to the stars. The age of space immigration has now begun.
Many years later, as they faced the Tharsis Montes, people were to remember that distant morning at the SpaceX Starbase, witnessing the launch of the Starship, which marked the year 2024 as the “Year One of the Space Industry.”
In 1865, French novelist Jules Verne published his sci-fi novel “From the Earth to the Moon.” This marks humanity’s earliest recorded concept of lunar landing.
The story follows the chairman of the Baltimore Gun Club, who, after the end of the American Civil War, launches a massive projectile to the moon and embarks on a thrilling adventure with his friends by riding inside it towards the moon. Filled with imagination and elements of scientific fantasy, this work had a profound impact on later science fiction creations, showcasing Verne’s forward-thinking exploration of space and bold ideas.
Cover page of the Artemis Plan, NASA
In the late 1960s to early 1970s, the United States’ Apollo program successfully sent 12 astronauts to the moon. Today, it has been 50 years since the last lunar landing.
Humanity has never ceased its quest to return to this time capsule from 4.5 billion years ago.
In September 2020, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced the Artemis program, aiming to return humans to the moon by 2026, with the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable base to facilitate human missions to Mars. In 2021, NASA selected SpaceX as the first supplier for the crewed lunar lander component of the program.
To establish a long-term habitat on the moon, in 2022, NASA partnered with a 3D printing construction company called ICON for the Project Olympus, aiming to utilize local resources on the moon and Mars to build a versatile architectural system, thereby advancing the Artemis program.
Concept render of Project Olympus, ICON
Compared to traditional construction methods, 3D printing in architecture requires less time and is more sustainable, aligning with the principle of using local resources. This approach of collecting, processing, storing, and utilizing materials found or manufactured on other celestial bodies is known as In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU). It means there’s no need to transport essential materials from Earth; instead, production can be carried out using local materials at the destination, enhancing humanity’s ability to explore space independently.
Description of ISRU, NASA
Basalt, formed from the eruption and solidification of mafic lava, is widely distributed on the Moon and Mars.
The additive manufacturing startup SpaceFactory, which won second place in NASA’s Centennial Challenge “3D-Printed Habitat Challenge,” designed a four-story shell-like structure named “MARSHA” around human needs. It uses a mixture of basalt fibers extracted from Martian rocks and renewable bioplastic processed from plants grown on Mars for 3D printing. This recyclable composite material has been certified by NASA to be two to three times stronger, more durable, and more crush-resistant than concrete.
Project MARSHA, SpaceFactory
In addition to using rock, metals can also be derived.
In 2023, a team from the University of Utah, in collaboration with the Powder Metallurgy Research Lab, won the top honor in NASA’s the BIG idea challenge (2023) Lunar Forge: Producing Metal Products on the Moon. Their method of extracting iron from reduced lunar soil and refining it into high-purity powdered products represents a promising ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) technology pathway.
University of Utah team members John Otero (co-team lead), Christian Norman, Olivia Dale, and Collin Andersen (team lead), presented at the 2023 BIG Idea Challenge Forum, held in Cleveland, OH. NASA
Basalt composite materials and metal 3D printing are likely ideal practices for ISRU, helping to address numerous challenges in the space environment such as resource constraints, demand customization, transportation burdens, and emergency responses, etc.
PIX is extensively employing space-age techniques — such as aluminum alloy 3D printing and basalt fiber 3D printing — in Robo-EV vehicle manufacturing. Due to features like mold-free, integrated molding, and direct digital manufacturing, this technology significantly reduces dependence on the supply chain. Its high design freedom and low trial-and-error costs provide advantages for manufacturing and market entry.
Unbound by traditional manufacturing processes, 3D printing technology enables the realization of complex, intricate, and diverse geometric product designs. This allows us to create new chassis designs more flexibly and customize production according to customer needs.
According to the renowned investment management firm ARK, revenues from 3D printing are expected to grow at an annual rate of around 40% to reach $180 billion by 2030.
p.159, Big Ideas 2024, Annual Research Report, ARK Invest
3D printing meets the need for rapid prototyping in the product development process, enabling the production of high-quality prototypes in a short period. It allows for the quick creation of product prototypes to validate design concepts and functional performance, facilitating rapid iteration in the product design process and shortening the development cycle.
PIX Robo-EV Chassis 2.0, Instagram @pix_roboev
Through innovative processes, PIX has achieved the integrated manufacturing of the Robo-EV chassis, transforming what would typically require multiple assembled components into a single integrated part.
This approach not only reduces the number of parts but also minimizes connections between components, effectively reducing the complexity of manufacturing and assembly processes. It enhances overall quality and performance while decreasing reliance on the supply chain, providing ample flexibility for the manufacturing industry.
Concept render of the PIX Robo-EV Chassis 2.0, PIX Moving
Traditional manufacturing processes often require large amounts of raw materials and energy, resulting in significant industrial waste and emissions. In contrast, 3D printing technology allows for precise control of material usage according to actual needs. It permits the use of renewable materials, thereby reducing material waste and energy consumption and mitigating environmental pollution. We are experimenting with using renewable basalt composite materials to print the springs of the Robo-EV, gradually expanding to other components.
Combined with PIX’s independently developed Realtime Manufacturing (RTM™) innovative flexible forming technology, target components can be processed without the need for dedicated molds.
Video of the RTM™, PIX Moving
RTM™ utilizes two six-axis industrial robots working in tandem to gradually process metal sheets based on CAD (Computer-aided Design) data. It features a large operating space, flexible layout, and diverse forming methods. Moreover, it can efficiently interface with PIX’s independently developed PAM™ (PIX Algorithm Modeling) design platform, accelerating design-manufacturing integration and shortening the overall product development cycle.
When producing transportation vehicles on the Moon and Mars, traditional automotive manufacturing processes used on Earth (such as stamping, welding, painting, and assembly) will no longer be continued. Instead, a manufacturing system that effectively reduces supply chain pressure will be adopted. PIX Manufacturing is poised to become a production model worthy of replication and promotion in space, capable not only of manufacturing transportation vehicles but also producing various industrial and consumer goods.
Concept render of a 3D printing chair, PIX Moving
In its report titled “Space: The $1.8 trillion opportunity for global economic growth,” published on April 8, 2024, McKinsey & Company projects that by 2035, the global space market’s economic size will reach $1.8 trillion, surpassing the $630 billion mark in 2023.
Concept of Space Industry, Midjourney
Interstellar immigration, space industry, and tourism will drive a new round of global economic growth. In such a context, the mature structures, patterns, and manufacturing developed by humanity on Earth can all be recreated. PIX’s goal is to become the first company to manufacture vehicles on the Moon and Mars.
“Shoot for the Moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” — — Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993)